Definition of "gravity" []

• Physics The natural force of attraction exerted by a celestial body, such as Earth, upon objects at or near its surface, tending to draw them toward the center of the body. (noun)
• Physics The natural force of attraction between any two massive bodies, which is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. (noun)
• Physics Gravitation. (noun)
• Grave consequence; seriousness or importance: They are still quite unaware of the gravity of their problems. (noun)
• Solemnity or dignity of manner. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "For example, all masses appear to show evidence of what we label gravity."
• "That power is what we call gravity, and you see there [pointing to the scales] a good deal of water gravitating toward the earth."
• "A chief point of discussion to which the investigations have led is: Whether the phenomena of what we call gravity may not be resolvable into those of magnetism -- a force acting at a distance, or by lines of power."